The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-08

his letters and the little pearl ring he had
given her. Everything was wrapped Sc
curely the package was too heavy fol
her pocket-quite too heavy. She won,
dered If he would come. And how
should she feel when she had given all
back TO him and said that they had bet
ter part ? She hardly knew Oh, life was
hard and bitter Jason had loved her
until that woman had come to the village
the designing widow as Miss Perkins
had said Perhaps Miss Perkins was
right.
Minerva finished her work and went
to sit on the porch. The air was heavy
with the scent of roses and honeysuckles.
And she felt her heart within her as cold
/ as stone.
She had sat there less than half an
hour when the gate opened and form
familiar came swiftly up the walk. Her
cold heart seemed for moment to stand
still. Then it throbbed painfully.
Good evening" she answered very
quietly to his good evening" But she
didn't give him her hand
The rest all came about very swiftly.
o pride, for thy stern sake how many
hearts are wrung
He should never know that she had
learned his treachery. He should sim
ply believe she did not care for him.
Here are your letters and the ring" she
said swiftly, glad that the darkness veiled
her pallor.
Jason Hawks received Them in bitter
silence
As you choose, then, eoquette," he
muttered, and, turning, strobe away
Minerva Woodford tossed wakefully
upon her bed that night. Ii was the first
great trouble of her life First troubles
are so bitter
Everything recurred to her-eyery
thing that Miss Perkins had told her con-
cerning Mrs. Darnel. The widow was
young and pretty. Why should Jason
care for her? She had come from the city
and was bright with city ways and city
talk. She seemed to have money in
abundance Oh, Il was cruel The whole
thing was cruel
Minerva fell asleep only toward the
dawn. She rose pale and heavy eyed
for the morning, yet strong in the inten-
flor, of coneealino her Grief
The summer day dragged heavily to-
ward noon, more heavily after. Time
was SO long, so long. 1t seemed centu-
ry since Miss Perkins had been there
with her tale of Jason Hawks devotion to
the young widow But the dream was
over. 1t was Minerals task to forget
their plighted VOWS, TO forget the hand
some face that had been so dear to her.
Probably he would leave the vii
lage-when he had married the
widow.
Minerals eyes grew dim she felt
choking sensation and stepped to the
open door, hoping the soft summer breeze
would cool herhot forehead
As she stood there she suddenly heard
a sharp cry of distress, then something
tore past in the road, beating up the yell
low dust in binding clouds.
runaway" she said, and her
heart seemed to cease beating for an in
slant
She ran down the path and out into the
road The horses had dashed on, but
something of a wreck was perceptible
short distance of.
Minerva thought she could see some
one lying by the roadside. She ran on
toward it at her utmost speed.
Oh, Jason, Jason y she moaned,
bending down over him.
Not dead. thank heaven Only stunned,
perhaps She raised his head, and ask
ed herself what next.
Turning for a moment she looked back
down the road and saw some one going
in at her own gate 1t was woman,
She flew back toward home to ask help
of whomever it might be.
1t was Mrs. Darnell She was very pale. |
and addressed the girl anxiously.
+" am afraid an accident has hap |
pened Mr. Hawks His team ran away /
and"
" He is lying in the road unconscious"
Minerva interrupted Will You help |
me some way To-"
" Let us go quickly" said the other.
And 50 they had not lost an instant.
Jason had come TO himself
" Badly shaken up, that's ALL he said
with an unnerved laugh, and leaning on
their arms, limped back to Minerals /
home.
Minerva drew up the arm chair in the
sitting room and left him there with Mrs.
DarneIl, going herself into the kitchen to
make cooling drink for her guests, per-
force.
Through the open door between the
rooms she could hear Jason's voice,
gloomy and disturbed.
Good thing, perhaps, if | had been
killed. Wouldn't have cared much"
"Oh, but you shouldn't say that" the
,oft voice of Mrs Darnell replied. " You
ought to care Things may come right,
you know"
Minerals heart seemed to twist up
within her in sudden jealous frenzy.
She could fancy just how the widows
lark, soft eyes were gazing into his; just
how her white and graceful hand lay on
lis arm.
Yes, things might com right. But why
should Jason speak gloomily2. She had
,iven him his freedom.
The hand with which she offered him
he glass of lemonade shook perceptibly.
Did Jason observe it
Il am going away tomorrow, Miss
he said, rather stifly. q Per-
,aps may carry your good wishes with
me- greatly regret having made you
his trouble.
The widow had slipped out on the
,orch
1t is no trouble whatever Mr.. Hawks"
eplied Minerva.
Miss Woodford,' said soft, smooth
Toice from out among the roses, won't